Rev. David Dismas, MDiv, STM, OCCA
A Little About David
A Deacon since 1989, a Presbyter since 1990, and a Bishop since 2000, Massachusetts native David Dismas [he/him/his] celebrates 30+ years of ordained ministry in the Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM).
He earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Merrimack College (North Andover, MA), and both his Master of Divinity (MDiv) and his Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degrees at the Boston University School of Theology (Boston, MA).
His BA major was Religious Studies with a concentration in Young Adult Ministry; his MDiv included a specialized curriculum in Biblical and Historical Studies with an emphasis on the Hebrew Bible; and, his STM in the Ministry in Society track included specializations in Worship and Preaching.
David successfully completed additional Masters Level coursework in the Marriage and Family Therapy track at the University of Massachusetts/Boston School of Education.
A worker-priest,* he has additional work experience in bookkeeping, office management, hospice volunteer management and bereavement care.
David was consecrated Titular Bishop of Rumney Marsh and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fairhaven (Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada/USA) on June 24, 2000 in the Marsh Chapel at his seminary alma mater Boston University.
In September 2001, the Diocese of Rumney Marsh was erected as an autocephalous see. David led that jurisdiction until 2017 when the Diocesan Synod voted to dissolve the diocese "within the year." David retired from the office of Diocesan Bishop at the end of September 2017.
In December 2017, the Mission Diocese of Saint Nicholas was erected at the request of a number of the clerics who had been associated with the former Diocese of Rumney Marsh. David led that jurisdiction until he retired as diocesan on 24 June 2023.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts (BA) at Merrimack College (North Andover, MA), and both his Master of Divinity (MDiv) and his Master of Sacred Theology (STM) degrees at the Boston University School of Theology (Boston, MA).
His BA major was Religious Studies with a concentration in Young Adult Ministry; his MDiv included a specialized curriculum in Biblical and Historical Studies with an emphasis on the Hebrew Bible; and, his STM in the Ministry in Society track included specializations in Worship and Preaching.
David successfully completed additional Masters Level coursework in the Marriage and Family Therapy track at the University of Massachusetts/Boston School of Education.
A worker-priest,* he has additional work experience in bookkeeping, office management, hospice volunteer management and bereavement care.
David was consecrated Titular Bishop of Rumney Marsh and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Fairhaven (Catholic Charismatic Church of Canada/USA) on June 24, 2000 in the Marsh Chapel at his seminary alma mater Boston University.
In September 2001, the Diocese of Rumney Marsh was erected as an autocephalous see. David led that jurisdiction until 2017 when the Diocesan Synod voted to dissolve the diocese "within the year." David retired from the office of Diocesan Bishop at the end of September 2017.
In December 2017, the Mission Diocese of Saint Nicholas was erected at the request of a number of the clerics who had been associated with the former Diocese of Rumney Marsh. David led that jurisdiction until he retired as diocesan on 24 June 2023.
Photo: The Sleeping Saint Joseph
In retirement, David adopted a quasi-monastic lifestyle so as to spend more time in intercessory prayer. He set apart his apartment under the title "Hermitage of Saint Joseph, Sleeping" in honor of the "Sleeping Saint Joseph" devotion popular among South American Catholic Christians.
Never wanting to be the Lone Ranger, David began seeking a larger jurisdiction in which to root. He contacted Bishop Elizabeth towards the end of August to inquire about incardination. On September 24, 2024, with the approval of The Holy Synod, he was formally incardinated into the Diocese of New York in the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA).
Never wanting to be the Lone Ranger, David began seeking a larger jurisdiction in which to root. He contacted Bishop Elizabeth towards the end of August to inquire about incardination. On September 24, 2024, with the approval of The Holy Synod, he was formally incardinated into the Diocese of New York in the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America (OCCA).
David in the main room of his hermitage which serves as chapel, parlor, dining area and office.
Of Worker Priests, Self-Supporting, and Non-Stipendiary Clergy
* Many Independent Sacramental Movement (ISM) clergy adopt the label of "Worker-Priest" taken from a 1940s movement among the Roman Catholic clergy (primarily in France). While adopting the title and the commitment to work "among the people," we are more akin to the "Non-Stipendiary" or "Self-Supporting" clergy found in the Anglican Communion. So as not to be a burden for the churches and ministries among the poor where we often serve, worker-priests are NOT paid for our ministerial work and normally support ourselves and our ministries by holding down a "day job" or, if retired, from our social security or other personal retirement income.
One of David's favorite jobs as a worker priest was serving as Hospice Volunteer Coordinator for Hallmark Health VNA and Hospice. In this photo David is receiving a replica of the famous "Chelsea Clock" in recognition for a 2009 presentation he had just given about Hospice Volunteerism to the Chelsea (MA) Rotary.
